Menstruation Specialist

What is menstruation?

Menstruation is part of the menstrual cycle, a monthly process that women of reproductive age experience. 

During menstruation, an egg is released from your ovaries. As the egg makes its way down your fallopian tubes, your uterus creates a lining of extra blood and tissue designed to help nourish the fetus if pregnancy occurs.

If the egg isn’t fertilized during your menstrual cycle, your body sheds the lining of extra blood and tissue. Your body dissolves or absorbs the egg, and your menstrual cycle begins again.

What is menstruation like?

Menstruation refers to the thick uterine lining and excess blood that’s shed through the vaginal canal during your monthly period. Everyone’s menstrual cycle is different. Some women experience heavy or moderate bleeding; others experience a light flow. You might even notice the intensity of your menstruation varies from month to month.

Most girls and women experience a light period for the first few days, followed by a heavier flow later in the week. You might also experience abdominal cramps, lower back pain, or irritability.

What is the average age for a girl to menstruate?

Menstruation occurs at a different time for everyone. Even so, most girls have their first menstrual cycle sometime between the ages of 8 and 16.

In the United States, the average age of menstruation is 12, but the process doesn’t occur until all aspects of your reproductive system are mature and working together.

How long does menstruation last?

The length of time that menstruation lasts varies from woman to woman. Some have four-day periods, while others have a period that lasts a full week. At first, menstruation may seem erratic. That’s because it typically takes several years for a period to become regular. 

When should I see a pediatrician about menstruation?

Menstruation is a normal part of a girl’s aging process, but it can also present potential health risks, especially if your daughter uses tampons. For example, using the wrong tampon or not changing your tampon frequently enough could result in a rare but potentially fatal condition called toxic shock syndrome.

If your daughter experiences symptoms like:

• A sudden, unexplained fever
• Diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Dizziness
• Sore throat
• Bloodshot eyes

Or if they have heavy bleeding one month and light bleeding the next, don’t wait to make an appointment at Newton Pediatrics. Following an exam and a review of your child’s medical history, the team can determine the underlying cause and make recommendations for treatment. 

To schedule a menstruation appointment for your child at Newton Pediatrics, call the nearest office or use the online booking feature today.